I’m among those who believe that the United States will emerge from this time of absurdity and anguish as a stronger nation with a progressive majority. The damage to our Democracy and psyches caused by President Trump and his Republican enablers calls for a reckoning. They all need to go, and they need to go now. Another four years of this won’t work.
I’m also among those who believe the rise of a diverse collation of candidates has been and will continue to be the defining characteristic of the Democratic party. Good for us. The most prominent of these diverse figures to rise in the time of Trump is Pete Buttigieg. He’s not a POC or a woman but being young and gay does count as diverse in modern American politics. And he’s been impressive in his run for the Democratic nomination for President: smart and measured, likeable and able to handle his own. Very impressive, indeed. Now, it’s time to get out.
Yeah, he’s doing well in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two primaries, but Iowa and New Hampshire ain’t like much of the America voting in the subsequent primaries. Even if he wins both early contests, which he probably won’t, Super Tuesday would suck for Mayor Pete, especially with the looming potential of a gay, 37-year old running in a national election. Many Americans are not ready for this; and many of those ready for it are aware of the risks in a time when risks should not be taken.
The safest play is the best bet at getting rid of Trump and his enablers in the Senate and House through a wave election. That wave is fomented by a formidable candidate with the most appeal across the broadest array of voters (Democratic, Independent, AND Republicans). That candidate is Joe Biden. The fact that I don’t need to fill in Biden’s resume here speaks to the point. And his much-scrutinized deficiencies are blips compared to the blizzard of Trump’s disqualifiers.
If Biden wins Iowa and New Hampshire, the nomination is a wrap, and he can begin pummeling Trump full time. And Biden’s shot at Iowa and New Hampshire is greatly improved with Mayor Pete off the ballot as his centrist-minded voters gravitate to Uncle Joey. Done and done.
Let’s also recognize that Biden, if elected, is probably a one-term President, and this act of goodwill on the part of Mayor Pete will bode well for his chances in 2024 (though I still stand by my March prediction that 2020 will be Biden/Harris with a Harris/Buttigieg ticket in 2024…) or simply raise his national profile in a way far more profound than an eventual flame out in 2020. For now, they can put him on the campaign trail right through the fall and give him a speaking spot at the DNC Convention.
The nation will be eternally grateful for his sacrifice, and Mayor Pete will surely be bound for bigger things down the road. Win/Win.
But for now: Go on, Pete. Get out.
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Nice Article Andrew. I agree with your premise. However, I have wished things like this in the past, to no end. I didn’t want Nader in, and it cost us. I didn’t want Jill Stein in for the same reasons. At this point I’m starting to wonder if Bernie might be an evil Republican plot to prop him up so that the Dems will lose. Sigh. Biden looks, to me, to have the wind taken out of his sails in the last couple of weeks. And I’m not sure he, or anybody wins at this point. But I loved your… Read more »